A 24-year-old Southfield man who allegedly stole an iPhone from a couple of teens and then pulled a knife to ward them off was arraigned on an armed robbery charge Aug. 27 before Judge James Brady in 47th District Court, Farmington Hills.

Brady set a $10,000 cash bond for William Geoffrey-Earn Price, as well as a GPS tether condition prior to his release. A pre-exam conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m., Sept. 3 in 47th District Court.

Price is charged in connection with an incident that began about 3 p.m., Monday, Aug. 25, at the Walgreen at Eight Mile and Grand River Ave. Two 14-year-old boys who were outside the store were asked by a man if he could borrow a phone. "The boys became a little alarmed and asked for it back," said Police Chief Chuck Nebus.

The man didn't give back the phone and began to flee on foot. As the boys gave chase, the man pulled out a switchblade and pointed it at them, Nebus said.

Farmington Hills officers canvassed the area while the man fled into a vacant house nearby in Southfield, according to police.

Meanwhile, Farmington Hills police issued a notice describing the man. Police received a call from a neighbor who said he saw the suspect leave the house in Southfield. The man was tracked to a Redford business, behind which he was hiding when police arrested him.

While this is the first cell phone theft of this type since last year, Nebus cautions all residents to avoid lending their phones to anyone who asks to use them. "Tell them you will make the call for them," he suggested.

Nebus also asks residents to contact police immediately rather than giving chase or attempting to stop someone. "We applaud their spirit of trying to help," he said, about the 14-year-olds," adding that it is safer to let a suspect flee and contact 9-1-1.